Cases and Covers for Handheld Electronic Devices

ABSTRACT

Holders for supporting portable handheld electronic devices, such as but not limited to iPhones®, IPODS®, IPADS™, cellular phones, and the like. An embodiment has an upper compartment on a backplate with sleeve edges that allow both a retractable cord and headpiece (earphones, headset) to be both stored inside when not being used. A spring loaded type rewinder on the backplate with sleeve edges automatically retracts both the cord and headpiece into the compartment where a hinge attached lid hides and protects both the cord and headpiece when not being used. The backplate with sleeve edges can include an internal inwardly protruding male prong that is attached to cord so that sliding the portable handheld electronic device into the sleeve edges plugs the prong into a female socket on the portable handheld electronics device, and sliding the device out removes the socket from about the male prong. Another embodiment has a portable handheld electronics device holder with a built on bottle opener, where the bottle opener in the outer face of a slightly raise box shape on the upper back of the case.

This invention relates to cases, in particular to novel cases, covers,faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portable handheldelectronics, such as but not limited to portable devices for downloadingand playing music, such as an IPOD®, portable digital electronic devicesfor sending and receiving phone calls such as an iPhone®,), iPad™,cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile video players, MP3 players (MPEGstandard for transmitting music over the world wide web, PDA (personaldigital assistants), and the like, which have retractableearplug/headphone cords, and with other novel features such as bottleopeners.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Portable handheld electronics such as mobile phones, and the like, aresubject to damage from being dropped or hit into. Damage can include thebattery cases being accidentally opened, to the electronic device itselfhaving to be replaced. Various sleeve devices have been used over theyears, but these devices often cannot be used with all types of handheldelectronic devices such as IPods® and iPhones® manufactured by AppleComputer.

Additionally, many portable electronics are used with headphones, suchas earphones, and the like. However, the loose headphones with theircords makes these accessories often difficult to store when not beingused. Merely wrapping the cord around the portable electronic device isundesirable, as well as unsightly, and can cause these parts to becomedamaged over time. Thus, the need exists for a way to protect headphonesand their cords when not being used with the portable electronicsdevices.

U.S. Published Patent Applications: 2004/0204165 to Huang and2005/0255898 to Huang each describe different types of cellular phonecases having some type of a retractable headphone. However, Huang '165requires the housing be extra wide to allow the headset to be pulled inalong one side of the cellular phone. In addition to creatingsubstantially extra space that can defeat the purpose of having a smallcellular phone, this patent requires the cord rewinder to be located atthe bottom of the case, which can cause the cord to become tangled andstuck when retracting along the inner side of the case. Additionally,the outer end of the headpiece still remains outside of the case and isnot fully protected when retracted, with the exposed end being a snagtype hazard. Also, the hanging appearance the of head piece does notcreate an aesthetic appearance.

Huang '898 does not fix these problems and in fact has the head pieceitself remains substantially outside the case when retracted where itcan become damaged from its exposure since it is unprotected as well asbeing a snag hazard. Furthermore, Huang '898 requires a part of the cordto have to hang below the case, and requires the plug to be separatelyplugged in, which also increases potential damage to the stored phone aswell as create another snag hazard. Additionally, the hanging appearanceof the head piece and lower hanging cord do not create an aestheticappearance. Thus, both Huang references teach and describe undesirabletypes of cases with retractable cords.

Still furthermore, most cases and covers for portable electronic devicessuch as for cellular type phones are limited to only protecting theelectronic device itself. Often the user would need to separately carrybeverage accessory devices such as but not limited to bottle cap openerswhen traveling. Placing a separate bottle cap opener in one's pocket isundesirable, and can easily be forgotten. Also, small devices such asbottle cap openers can be easily lost.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,494,239 to Riccardi issued February 2009 shows a “bottleopener” that can attach to the back of cell phones, where the bottleopener is angled out and can also be used as a belt clip. However, thisclip substantially sticks outside and away from the case and would takeup undesirable space and would not allow the case to be placed in apocket such as the breast pocket for storage. Additionally, such as clipcan easily snag onto the clothing or other items of the user and wouldnot be desirable.

U.S. Published Patent Application 2006/0146483 to Patino describes a“battery door cover bottle opener” that serves as a cover for a batteryand an audio output. However, the location of the opener can result inbottles causing damage to any exterior speaker on the electronicsdevice. Also, the low location of the opener on the back of the housingwould require the user having to grab the upper antenna end of the caseto open the bottle, which can potentially damage both the antenna andthe upper delicate electronics part of the electronics device that isbeing housed therein.

Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the priorart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide cases,covers, faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portablehandheld electronics, such as portable devices for downloading andplaying music, portable digital electronic devices for sending andreceiving phone calls, cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile videoplayers, MP3 players (MPEG standard for transmitting music over theworld wide web, PDA (personal digital assistants), and the like, whichhave retractable earplug/headphone cords, with headphones that arestored out of sight when not used.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide cases,covers, faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portablehandheld electronics, such as portable devices for downloading andplaying music, portable digital electronic devices for sending andreceiving phone calls, cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile videoplayers, MP3 players (MPEG standard for transmitting music over theworld wide web, PDA (personal digital assistants), and the like, whichhave retractable earplug/headphone cords, that do not become snaghazards when not used.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide cases, covers,faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portable handheldelectronics, such as portable devices for downloading and playing music,portable digital electronic devices for sending and receiving phonecalls, cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile video players, MP3 players(MPEG standard for transmitting music over the world wide web, PDA(personal digital assistants), and the like, with retractable cords andheadpieces that are aesthetically clean in appearance when not beingused since there are no remaining hanging parts.

A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide cases, covers,faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portable handheldelectronics, such as portable devices for downloading and playing music,portable digital electronic devices for sending and receiving phonecalls, cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile video players, MP3 players(MPEG standard for transmitting music over the world wide web, PDA(personal digital assistants), and the like, which have retractableheadpieces and cords that safely protect the headpieces and cords fromdamage when not used.

A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide cases, covers,faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portable handheldelectronics, such as portable devices for downloading and playing music,portable digital electronic devices for sending and receiving phonecalls, cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile video players, MP3 players(MPEG standard for transmitting music over the world wide web, PDA(personal digital assistants), and the like, which have retractableheadpieces and cords that do not require extra wide or deep storagecases that are substantially larger than the exterior dimensions of theportable electronics.

A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide cases, covers,faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portable handheldelectronics, such as portable devices for downloading and playing music,portable digital electronic devices for sending and receiving phonecalls, cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile video players, MP3 players(MPEG standard for transmitting music over the world wide web, PDA(personal digital assistants), and the like, which have retractableheadpieces and cords where insertion of the portable electronics allowsfor direct connection to an interior prong that is connected to theretracted cord and headpiece.

A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide cases,covers, faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portablehandheld electronics, such as portable devices for downloading andplaying music, portable digital electronic devices for sending andreceiving phone calls, cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile videoplayers, MP3 players (MPEG standard for transmitting music over theworld wide web, PDA (personal digital assistants), and the like, havingbuilt on accessories such as bottle openers, that do not substantiallystick out from the electronics.

An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide cases,covers, faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portablehandheld electronics, such as but not limited to IPods®, iPhones®, iPads(portable handheld notepad computer with video and text messaging andemailing, for wireless transmissions) cellular phones, mobile phones,mobile video players, MP3 players, PDA (personal digital assistants),having built on accessories such as bottle openers, that are not snaghazards.

A ninth objective of the present invention is to provide cases, covers,faceplates and backplates for protecting and holding portable handheldelectronics, such as portable devices for downloading and playing music,portable digital electronic devices for sending and receiving phonecalls, cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile video players, MP3 players(MPEG standard for transmitting music over the world wide web, PDA(personal digital assistants), and the like, having built on accessoriessuch as bottle openers, that would not potentially damage the portableelectronics when the bottle opener is being used.

A preferred embodiment of the holder for handheld electronics caninclude a backplate having a support frame sleeve sized to fitsubstantially about perimeter edges of a portable handheld electronicdevice, a storage compartment having a lid that is attached to an uppersurface portion of the backplate, and a cord and headpiece for beingused with the portable handheld electronic device, the cord andheadpiece being both capable of being stored inside of the compartmentbeneath under the lid of the compartment when not being used, and theheadpiece and the cord being capable of being removed from thecompartment when used with the portable handheld electronic device.

The lid can include a hinge edge for allowing the lid to open or closethe compartment. The holder can include a cord winder attached to thebackplate, the cord winder allowing both the cord and the headpiece tobe fully retracted into the compartment under the lid.

The holder can include a plug attached to the cord, the plug locatedinside of the support frame sleeve so that sliding the portableelectronic device into the backplate connects a socket in the portableelectronic device to the cord and headset, and sliding the portableelectronic device out of the support frame sleeve separates the cordfrom the socket of the portable electronics device.

The holder can include a bill (money) clip extending downward from thecompartment for allowing the holder to be clipped onto a belt or pocketof a user.

The clip can include a depressible switch for allowing the clip to bedetached from the compartment.

The holder can support and protect a portable electronics device beingan iPhone®. The holder can support and protect a portable electronicsdevice being an IPOD®, iPad™ (portable handheld notepad computer withvideo and text messaging and emailing, for wireless transmissions). Theholder can support and protect a portable electronics device being aportable phone.

An accessory holder embodiment for handheld electronics, can include abackplate having a support frame sleeve sized to fit substantially aboutperimeter edges of a portable handheld electronic device, a slightlyraised box attached to an upper surface portion of the backplate the boxhaving a substantially planar outer face that is substantially parallelto a longitudinal axis of the backplate, and a bottle opener fixed inthe planar outer face.

An embodiment of this invention is the ability to use specificcomponents (components labeled 280, 270, and 300) of the case as aseparate entity to act as a headphone or earpiece holder with thefeatures of an enclosable case and the self-winding feature thatretracts the cords associated with the headphone or earpiece.

The raised box has side edges which slope out from the backplate. Theportable handheld electronic device can be an iPhone®. The portablehandheld electronic device can be an IPOD®. The portable handheldelectronic device can be a iPad™. The portable handheld electronicdevice can be a portable phone.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the presently preferredembodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front plate for the holder of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a backing plate for the holder of theinvention attached to the front plate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the backing plate of FIG. 2 withfront plate of FIG. 1 with backing plate separated apart and rear clipdetached from the backing plate.

FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of the combined front plate and backingplate of the holder with rewinder, storage compartment lid and clipdetached from the holder.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the combined front and backing plates of theholder of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the combined front plate and backing plate ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the combined front and backing plates ofFIG. 5 along arrow 7X.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the combined front and backing plates ofFIG. 5 along arrow 8X.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the combined front and backing plate of FIG. 6along arrow 9Y.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the combined front and backing plate of FIG.6 along arrow 10Y.

FIG. 11 is an upper enlarged view of the storage compartment on the backplate of the holder of FIGS. 1 and 6 with the compartment lid in an openposition with both the headpiece and cords stored inside thecompartment.

FIG. 12 is another enlarged view of the storage compartment of FIG. 11with the lid closed and the headpiece pulled outside of the compartmentwhen being used.

FIG. 13 shows the holder front frame separated from the backplate withthe inwardly protruding cord attached male prong about to be insertedinto a female socket of a portable handheld electronics device.

FIG. 14 is another view of the portable handheld electronics device ofFIG. 13 slid into the upper part of the holder front frame with the maleprong now inserted into the female socket on the top of the portablehandheld electronics device.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holdershowing a backing plate with rear clip detached from the backing plate.

FIG. 16 is an exploded front view of the backing plate of the holder ofFIG. 15 with rewinder, storage compartment lid and clip detached fromthe holder.

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the holder of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the holder of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a right side view of the holder of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a left side view of the holder of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a top side view of the holder of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is a bottom side view of the holder of FIG. 17.

FIG. 23 is an upper enlarged view of the compartment in an open positionwith cord and headpiece fully inserted inside.

FIG. 24 is another enlarged view of the compartment of FIG. 23 with thelid closed and only the headpiece with cord end extending out from thecompartment.

FIG. 25 shows the holder frame where the portable electronics device isabout to be slid into the holder so that the female socket on theportable handheld electronics device can wrap about the upwardlyprotruding male prong on the front plate.

FIG. 26 shows the portable handheld electronics device slid into placein the front plate of the holder so that the male prong for theheadpiece is connected to the electronics device.

FIG. 27 is another embodiment showing a perspective view of a backingholder for a portable handheld electronics device with a built in bottleopener.

FIG. 28 is an interior perspective view of the backing holder of FIG.27.

FIG. 29 is a planar view of the backing holder of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a planar view of the inside of the backing holder of FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a right side view of the holder of FIG. 29 along arrow 31X.

FIG. 32 is a left side view of the holder of FIG. 29 along arrow 32X.

FIG. 33 is a top side view of the holder of FIG. 30 along arrow 32Y.

FIG. 34 is a bottom side view of the holder of FIG. 30 along arrow 33Y.

FIG. 35 is an exploded view of the holder about to slid about a portablehandheld electronics device.

FIG. 36 shows the holder attached to the portable handheld electronicsdevice of FIG. 35.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention indetail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplications to the details of the particular arrangements shown sincethe invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The inventions can be used with holding portable handheld electronics,such as portable devices for downloading and playing music (such anIPOD®), portable digital electronic devices for sending and receivingphone calls (such as an iPhone®), iPad™ (portable handheld notepadcomputer with video and text messaging and emailing, for wirelesstransmissions), cellular phones, mobile phones, mobile video players,MP3 players (MPEG standard for transmitting music over the world wideweb, PDA (personal digital assistants), and the like. A list ofcomponents will now be described.

-   1. Holder of combined front plate and backing plate-   100 Front plate-   110 left side edge-   115 upper slot-   120 top side edge-   125 hole for the on/off button-   130 right side edge-   140 bottom side edge-   145 slot in bottom edge-   190 downwardly protruding inside prong.-   195 male tip-   200 Backing plate-   210 right side edge-   215 upper slot-   220 top side edge-   225 hole for the on/off button-   230 left side edge-   240 bottom edge-   245 slot in bottom edge-   250 lower half of backing plate-   252 upwardly facing tab-   254 raised protrusion-   260 upper half of backing plate-   262 downwardly facing tab-   264 slot in tab-   270/280 upper rear compartment and hinged door on backing plate-   275 hinge prong slots for button clip hinge prongs 295-   282 hinge side extending prongs-   285 locking pins on top of lid-   289 raised outer gripping surface-   290 downwardly protruding bill clip-   292 depressible button-   293 protruding portion-   294 slot in housing 300 for protruding portion 293-   295 hinge side prongs of button-   300 rewinder component housing-   310 axle pin-   320 rotatable wheel to hold cord-   325 opening in wheel-   330 metal coil (allows unit to extend out and retract)-   340 ball bearing for the wheel to turn to extend and retract back-   350 cord cover-   360 inner back cover-   400 cord-   410 end attached to male prong-   420 wrapped cord-   450 end attached to headpiece-   460 headpiece (earphone/headset)-   500 portable handheld electronics device-   510 female socket on electronics device-   600 second embodiment-   620 lower rear backing plate-   610 upper snapable rear backing plate-   790 upwardly protruding inside prong-   795 male tip-   800 Another portable handheld electronics device-   810 female socket on electronics device-   900 Holder with bottle cap opener-   910 snapable bottom of holder-   915 slit in bottom of holder-   920 top of holder-   930 raised inwardly sloping side walls of partially raised upper box-   932 reinforcement ribs-   940 opening in face shaped to open bottle caps-   950 tab to open bottle caps-   1000 portable handheld electronics device

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front plate 100 for the holder 1 ofthe invention. The front plate 100 can include a left side edge 110,with upper longitudinal slot 115, top side edge 120 with hole 125 forthe on/off button, right side edge 130 and bottom side edge 140.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rear plate 200 with the front plate100 attached thereto that combines into the holder 1 of the invention.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the backing plate 200 of FIG. 2with front plate 100 of FIG. 1 with backing plate 200 separated apartand rear clip 290 detached from backing plate 200. FIG. 4 is an explodedfront view of the combined front plate 100 and backing plate 200 of theholder 1 with rewinder components 300-350, storage compartment lid 280and clip 290 detached from the holder 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the combined front 100 and backing plates 200of the holder 1 of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the combined frontplate 100 and backing plate 200 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a right side viewof the combined front 100 and backing plates 200 of FIG. 5 along arrow7X. FIG. 8 is a left side view of the combined front 100 and backingplates 200 of FIG. 5 along arrow 8X. FIG. 9 is a top view of thecombined front 100 and backing plate 200 of FIG. 6 along arrow 9Y. FIG.10 is a bottom view of the combined front 100 and backing plate 200 ofFIG. 6 along arrow 10Y.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, the holder 1 can be use to support portablehandheld electronic devices, as described above. The backing plate 200can be two parts that snap together. The backing plate 200 can include alower half 250 with an upwardly facing tab 252 with raised protrusion254 that can interlock with a slot 264 in downwardly facing tab 262 ofthe upper half 260 of the backing plate 200.

On the upper portion of the backing plate 200 can be a rear compartment270 molded about a rewinder component housing 300. The one piececompartment lid 270/280 can have hinged side prongs 285 at a lower sideand with a pair of locking pins that mateably attach to like holes toclose the compartment 270. A raised outer gripping surface 289 allows auser's finger to open and close the lid 280 to the compartment 270.

Attached to the compartment 270 can be a removable bill (money) or belttype clip 290 that can be use do clip the holder 1 to belts, or pocketsof the user. The bill type clip 290 can include a depressible button 292with hinge side prongs 295 that fit into inner side edge slots 275 onthe lower part of the container 270. The other side of the button 292has a protruding portion 293 that can fit into a slot 294 on the outsideof the rewinder housing 300, wherein depressing the button 292 towardthe holder 1 can allow the clip 290 to drop from and be separated fromthe holder 1.

A rewinder component housing 300 can be attached to an upper portion ofthe backing plate 200 beneath the lid 280 of the compartment. Therewinder housing 300 can be sized to fit within a lower part of thecompartment 280. Inside the rewinder housing 300 which can be generallycylindrical can be an axle pin 310 that supports a rotatable wheel 320with opening 325 that fits over the axle pin 310. The wheel 320 can haveraised surfaces that supports a metal coil 330 and a ball bearing 340and cover 350 and inner wall cover 360 that supports a wound cord 420thereon. Such rewinder components can be similar to those found in U.S.Patent Application Publication 2004/0204165 to Huang, which isincorporated by reference. The user can pull on the exposed cord 450which activate the spring loaded rewinder which can retract the entirecord end 450 and entire headpiece 460 into the compartment 270.

The wound cord 420 can have an end 450 attached to a headpiece 460, suchas but not limited to an earphone, two earphones, a small headset,headphones with small microphone (so user can answer calls) and thelike. Additionally, the headphones can be wireless headphones that canbe stored inside the compartment. The opposite end 410 of the wound cord420 can be attached to an inwardly protruding prong 190 on the underside of front plate 100 with a male tip 195, the significance which willbe described later.

FIG. 11 is an upper enlarged view of the storage compartment 270 on theback plate 200 of the holder of FIGS. 1 and 6 with the compartment lid280 in an open position with both the headpiece 460 and cords(underneath headpiece) stored inside the compartment 270. As shown, thelid 280 can easily close the compartment 270 and store the entireheadpiece 460 and cords inside when the headpiece is not being used.

FIG. 12 is another enlarged view of the storage compartment 270 of FIG.11 with the lid 280 closed and the headpiece 460 pulled outside of thecompartment 270 when being used. Here, the lid 280 can be in a closedposition, and the headpiece pulled to an extended position to be used bythe user.

FIG. 13 shows the holder front plate separated from the backplate withthe inwardly protruding cord attached male prong 190, 195 about to beinserted into a female socket 510 of a portable handheld electronicsdevice 500.

FIG. 14 is another view of the portable handheld electronics device 500of FIG. 13 slid into the upper part of the holder front plate 100 withthe male prong 190, 195 now inserted into the female socket 510 on thetop of the portable handheld electronics device 500. Referring to FIGS.4, 8, 13 and 14, a portable handheld electronics device 500, such as aniPhone®, and the like, can be slid upward in the direction of arrow U sothat the upper female socket 510 can wrap about the downwardlyprojecting male prongs 190, 195 that are mounted in the inner top of thefront plate 100 of the holder. Moving in the opposite direction, theportable handheld electronics device 500 can be separated and detachedfrom the holder 1.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holder 600showing a backing plate 610, 620 with rear clip 290 detached from thebacking plate 610, 620. FIG. 16 is an exploded front view of the backingplate 610, 620 of the holder 600 of FIG. 15 with rewinder components300-360, storage compartment lid 280 and clip 290 detached from theholder 600. FIG. 17 is a rear view of the holder 600 of FIG. 16. FIG. 18is a front view of the holder 600 of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a right sideview of the holder 600 of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a left side view of theholder 600 of FIG. 18. FIG. 21 is a top side view of the holder 600 ofFIG. 17. FIG. 22 is a bottom side view of the holder 600 of FIG. 17.FIG. 23 is an upper enlarged view of the compartment 270 in an openposition with cord and headpiece 460 fully inserted inside. FIG. 24 isanother enlarged view of the compartment of FIG. 23 with the lid 280closed and only the headpiece 460 with cord end 450 extending out fromthe compartment.

Referring to FIGS. 15-24, the second embodiment can be used with othertypes of portable handheld electronics devices, such as but not limitedto iPhones®, iPads®, and the like. This holder 600 can have similarcomponents to that of the previous embodiment 1 with the exception thatthe holder 600 can be single backing plate 600 with perimeter side edgeswhich can wrap about a portable handheld electronics device. The backingplate can have an upper snapable rear backing plate 610 that can snapabout and attach to a lower backing plate. The other components can besimilar to those described and shown in the embodiment of precedingFIGS. 1-14.

Another difference here is the inner prong is an upwardly protrudingprong 790 with male tip 795 that is on the inner surface of the bottomof the holder 600.

FIG. 25 shows the holder frame where the portable electronics device 800is about to be slid into the holder 600 so that the female socket 810 onthe portable handheld electronics device 800 can wrap about the upwardlyprotruding male prong 790, 795 on the bottom of the holder 600. FIG. 26shows the portable handheld electronics device 800 slid into place intothe holder 600 so that the male prong 790, 795 for the headpiece 460 isconnected to the electronics device 800. The upper snapable backingplate part 610 can then lock the portable handheld electronics device800 into the protective holder.

FIG. 27 is another embodiment showing a perspective view of a backingholder 900 for a portable handheld electronics device (shown as 1000 inFIGS. 34-35) with a built in bottle cap opener 930, 940, 950. FIG. 28 isan interior perspective view of the backing holder 900 of FIG. 27. FIG.29 is a planar view of the backing holder 900 of FIG. 27. FIG. 30 is aplanar view of the inside of the backing holder 900 of FIG. 28. FIG. 31is a right side view of the holder 900 of FIG. 29 along arrow 31X. FIG.32 is a left side view of the holder 900 of FIG. 29 along arrow 32X.FIG. 32 is a top side view of the holder 900 of FIG. 30 along arrow 32Y.FIG. 33 is a bottom side view of the holder 900 of FIG. 30 along arrow33Y.

Referring to FIGS. 27-33, the holder 900 can be in two parts 910, 920that snap together with side edges that wrap about perimeter edges of aportable handheld electronics device such as but not limited to a mobilephone, and the like. A bottom slit 915 in the bottom of the holder 900allows for an easier fit about the portable handheld electronics device.The upper part of the holder can include a slightly raised box portionhaving inwardly sloping side walls 930 that form a planar type face withan opening 940 formed from metal, hardened plastic, and the like, thatcan be sized to open bottle caps on sodas, beer bottles, and the like.An additional raised tab 950 can also be used to open soda, beer, drinkcans as well when needed. The inwardly sloped walls 930 can havereinforcement ribs 932 to better support the bottle cap opener face 940.

FIG. 34 is an exploded view of the upper and lower parts 910, 920 of theholder 900 about to slid about a portable handheld electronics device100. FIG. 35 shows the holder 900 where the parts 910, 920 are snappedtogether to be attached to the portable handheld electronics device ofFIG. 34.

An embodiment of this invention is the ability to use specificcomponents (components labeled 280, 270, and 300) of the case as aseparate entity to act as a headphone or earpiece holder with thefeatures of an enclosable case and the self-winding feature thatretracts the cords associated with the headphone or earpiece.

Although the invention describes the embodiments of a storagecompartment on the holder separate from the bottle opener embodiment,the invention can be practiced where the storage compartment and bottleopener accessory are on the same backing plate, with one on top of theother.

While the invention has been described as storing retractable cords withheadpieces, the invention can be used for just storing headpieces, suchas wireless headphones, when needed, or just storing headphones withoutthe use of the retractable cord features. Also, the invention can beused to fully store and protect earphones and headphones having separatepluggable cords.

As previously discussed, the headpiece can be a single earphone, twoearphones or a small headset. The holders described and shown can bemade from materials such as but not limited to injection molded plastic,composites, rubber type materials, metal, combinations thereof, and thelike. Additionally, the holders can be made of other materials, such asbut not limited to leather, cloth, linen, and other natural materials.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it haspresumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such othermodifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings hereinare particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth andscope of the claims here appended.

1. A portable holder for handheld electronics, comprising: a backplatehaving a support frame sleeve sized to fit substantially about perimeteredges of a portable handheld electronic device; a storage compartmenthaving a lid that is attached to an upper surface portion of thebackplate; and a cord and headpiece for being used with the portablehandheld electronic device, the cord and headpiece being both capable ofbeing stored inside of the compartment beneath under the lid of thecompartment when not being used, and the headpiece and the cord beingcapable of being removed from the compartment when used with theportable handheld electronic device.
 2. The holder of claim 1, whereinthe lid includes a hinge edge for allowing the lid to open or close thecompartment.
 3. The holder of claim 1, further comprising: a cord winderattached to the backplate, the cord winder allowing both the cord andthe headpiece to be fully retracted into the compartment under the lid.4. The holder of claim 1, further comprising: a plug attached to thecord, the plug located inside of the support frame sleeve so thatsliding the portable electronic device into the backplate connects asocket in the portable electronic device to the cord and headset, andsliding the portable electronic device out of the support frame sleeveseparates the cord from the socket of the portable electronics device.5. The holder of claim 1, further comprising: a bill clip extendingdownward from the compartment for allowing the holder to be clipped ontoa belt or pocket of a user.
 6. The holder of claim 1, wherein the clipincludes: a depressible switch for allowing the clip to be detached fromthe compartment.
 7. The holder of claim 1, wherein the portableelectronics device is an iPhone®.
 8. The holder of claim 1, wherein theportable electronics device is an IPOD®.
 9. The holder of claim 1,wherein the portable electronics device is a portable phone.
 10. Theholder of claim 1, wherein the headpiece is at least one earphone. 11.The holder of claim 1, wherein the headpiece is a headphone.
 12. Aportable holder for handheld electronics, comprising: a backplate havinga support frame sleeve sized to fit substantially about perimeter edgesof a portable handheld electronic device; a storage compartment having ahinged lid that is attached to an upper surface portion of thebackplate, the lid having an open position allowing access inside of thecompartment and a closed position where the lid closes off thecompartment; a headpiece for being used with the portable handheldelectronic device, wherein the headpiece can be completely stored insidethe compartment when the lid is in a closed position, wherein the holderprotects the portable handheld electronic device.
 13. The holder ofclaim 12, wherein the headpiece is at least one earphone.
 14. The holderof claim 12, wherein the headpiece is a headphone.
 15. A portableaccessory holder for handheld electronics, comprising: a backplatehaving a support frame sleeve sized to fit substantially about perimeteredges of a portable handheld electronic device; a slightly raised boxattached to an upper surface portion of the backplate the box having asubstantially planar outer face that is substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the backplate; and a bottle opener fixed in theplanar outer face.
 16. The accessory holder of claim 15, wherein theraised box has side edges which slope out from the backplate.
 17. Theaccessory holder of claim 15, wherein the portable handheld electronicdevice is an iPhone®.
 18. The accessory holder of claim 10, wherein theportable handheld electronic device is an IPOD®.
 19. The accessoryholder of claim 10, wherein the portable handheld electronic device is aportable phone.